Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 17 October 1902
Denaby & Cadeby Strike
View of the Management
A statement appeared in a daily paper on Tuesday to the effect that the at Denaby had been settled, and that the machinery was being overhauled being previous to the commencement of work.
The news was received in this district with doubtfulness, and it was rot very long before it was ascertained that the statement bed no foundation.
Subsequent enquiries led to the conclusion that, instead of Denaby, the name of the colliery referred to was really Denby or Denby Dale, near Barnsley, where there has been a pit lads’ dispute, which is now happily settled.
Yesterday, a representative of this paper sought an interview with Mr. W. H. Chambers; the managing director of the Denaby Cadeby Collieries, Ltd., with a view to his attention to the newspaper statement, and asking for an estimation of opinion on it from him. . Our representative was informed by, Mr. R. C. Irving, who said he was deputed by Mr. Chambers, and spoke with authority, that the attitude of the colliery company was absolutely unchanged, and that there had not been, and ward not be settlement unless the men chose to accept the terms under which they worked previous to the stoppage.
“You may put that in your paper, if you like,” said the speaker. In addition we were informed that the men at Denaby and Cadeby were paid as well as at any other colliery in the district, but , this is a statement that is disputed by the men, who say that if they were assured of the same terms as obtained at certain other kcal collieries they would readily return to wort.
“Au Old Miner” writes; “it is 16 weeks since the stoppage at Deasby and Cadeby, and nothing yet has been about the men’s tools. I, for one, think if Mr. Chambers can have men up at Doncaster and have them fined, we have as much right to sue for the tools that lie in the pit. He says we are not a servant. I say we are until he gives up the tools that belong to us. Mr. Chambers has had his share of Doncaster. I think it in time we had a bit, and go in for fourteen weeks pay, for the time he has kept our tools, for he has prevented us going anywhere else to work. I think Mr. Chambers has done wrong as well as the men.”
I worked at Denaby when there was no bag dirt, and we had 6d per yard for cutting bags. So you will see there is not much for bag dirt shifting. I think when men have to shift clod instead of coal they should be paid for it.”
Judge Masterman spoke right, and if Mr Chambers will let the pit stand after what he said I think it is a shame.”